Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Book Review 150 Screen Free Activities for Kids
Book Review 150 Screen Free Activities for Kids
I was sent a copy of this book for review. All opinions are 100% mine. This post contains affiliate links.
When my very active son broke his leg I knew that we would be spending a lot of time at home and I wanted to make sure that we didnt spend too much time looking at screens. It was perfect timing that I was in the process of viewing the book "150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids" by Asia Citro.
150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids book covers everything from DIY toys, pretend play ideas, doughs, slimes, paints and mores. My favorite part is that I didnt feel overwhelmed by any of the directions, supplies or ingredients. In fact, most of the activities include ingredients that you most likely already have at home. As we flipped through the book, the rainbow colored pasta caught the eye of my son and we couldnt wait to make our own.
I was impressed by how beautiful and vibrant the pasta turned out. The recipe could not have been easier to follow and not only did my son enjoy playing with the finished pasta, but he had a great time helping me make it. We made designs with the pasta, used it for necklaces and even glued it to cardboard to make our own pasta cars.
150+ Screen Free Activities for Kids is a book that you will use over and over again as your child grows from baby to big kid. We cant wait to try more activities.
You can get a copy of 150+ Screen Free Activities for Kids right here on
Available link for download
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Saturday, August 12, 2017
Book Club
Book Club
Ive always had this fantasy about being in a book club so you can imagine my excitement when my sweet choir friend, Charlene invited me (well, she really invited everyone but I like to think that she hand picked me) to join her "totally awesome book club"!! Within minutes of joining the club I had the book downloaded to my iPad and a paperback on the way and I was ready to go. My very first book club! Eek!
Well, fast forward 6 weeks and here we are...its the morning of the book club meeting and Im only about halfway through the book. How did this happen? What went wrong? Ive made a personal plan for myself and its taking over my life. Let me explain. My natural tendency is to stay home whenever I can. Honestly, If I had no responsibilities outside of my home, I would probably never leave. In Charleston, this type of thing would have been perfectly fine. Our friends didnt mind coming over to see us and with all that traffic, no one ever judges you if you say its too much energy to leave the house but I knew this wouldnt work in Sumter. Matthew doesnt know anyone here and without friends and social options, he could never really be happy living here. So, I made a plan for myself to help us fit in. There are several official names for this type of thing but I called mine the "say yes to everything" plan. The basic idea is that unless I already have something planned, I say yes when Im asked to do something. No exceptions. I started doing this to make sure that HeyMatthew was happy but Im actually having a good time with it. Matthew has started shooting clay targets (Id never seen him even hold a gun until we moved here), flown electric RC planes, photographed a ton of events and made friends with some of my family and church friends. Ive run a 5k, taken a painting class, made lots of friends, joined a book club, learned how to meditate, eaten out 1,000 times and thats all happened within the last 2 months. Staying busy has been fun. I dont think Ill keep the plan up much longer. With the holidays approaching (and a calendar that is already full through the end of the year) I think Ill probably burn out pretty quickly but Im so glad that I gave it a try. Having a social life has been fun but maybe my goal for 2012 will be to keep it up but save enough time to read. Wish me luck at the book club. Lets hope I can find something of worth to say after only reading about 40 pages.
Available link for download
Monday, July 24, 2017
Book Orders Due Tuesday November 24th
Book Orders Due Tuesday November 24th
I am sending home another book order. I hope to place this order over Thanksgiving break so the books will arrive early enough for Christmas. If you are ordering books for Christmas and would like me to set them aside, please mark on the order or attach a note stating that they are Christmas books and should not be sent home with the student.
Here are some reminders about book orders:
1. PLEASE be sure you write your childs name on the top of each order. We had some last time without names, and usually I catch it but did not this time. Please make sure the name is on the top of each individual order form.
2. PLEASE be sure to remind your child to hand me the order. I have reminded them not to just set them on the table or put in basket as sometimes they get misplaced.
3. PLEASE remember to write checks out to me, Mrs. Kerian, as I order the books online with my credit card. This makes the ordering easier and books come faster. Do NOT make the check out to the school or Scholastic book clubs.
4. PLEASE have all orders in an envelope, money included, name written on order and outside envelope.
5. Return student orders by Tuesday, November 16th.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. There are some great books in these orders that will make wonderful Christmas presents!!
Available link for download
Friday, July 7, 2017
Book Girl
Book Girl
The urge to paint has been flickering and growing inside me over the last few weeks. So, this week, I got to it!
I wanted to try something new and different. I love to read, and I love the idea of repurposing old books and making them into art.
So, heres how I created my painting. I am crap at remembering to take pics at the appropriate points, so I hope you get the idea anyway!
I started by finding an old book. It mattered to me that it was a book I felt something for. I found an old copy of The Rose under my house that was without a cover, and so well loved it was falling apart. Perfect! The Rose was one of my favourite films when I was younger- starring Bette Midler, based on the life of Janis Joplin- how much more could I love it?? Well, it may be responsible for the lame-o rose tattoo I have on my chest... Oh, the humanity! Yes, I am a walking advertisement for why 17 year olds SHOULD NOT be allowed to get tattoos... unless they pick something NOT lame. I knew a girl with the Guns and Roses logo on her torso, so I guess things could be worse.
OK, so I glued the pages onto a 24 x 20" canvas. I love the aged quality of the paper. My sisters and I used to spend ages with coffee and matches* trying to get this effect on our treasure maps... We did a lot of treasure hunts and put waaaaayyy to much effort into them!
*Ahh.. the late seventies/ early eighties. When kids could play with matches, and then toodle off to the corner shop to buy their Nanna her Blue Ardath ciggies, and no-one would bat an eyelid. Good times.
Next, I needed to decide what I was going to paint onto my gorgeous book page canvas. A blank Canvas is a lot of pressure, and so is a beautifully prepared book page canvas!! I didn;t want to screw it up! I chose to use a digital drawing I did ages ago. I printed her out, stuck her together and traced her onto the canvas... Very LOW TECH! Ordinarily, I would trace the image onto a transperancy and then use my projector, but its under the house and I am lazy. Whatevs.
So then, It was time to paint. And what better time than during the State of Origin??
I did look up every now and then to shout, "Go yourself, MAL!!" Just for my dad. He used to shout that at the TV ALL THE TIME. I used to think Mal meant mate and he was cheering on all different players. But it meant Mal Meninga... so it doesnt really make sense when he is not playing... But I think its funny and my dad is in the UK and missed the game the other night. Although, he does have jedi-like football finding skill, so he probably tracked down a TV playing it. In Ireland.
Painting for me can be extremely therapeutic and cathartic. I have little rules that I paint by... Everything has 3 colours... You should always start and finish a line.... All work should have a little bit of red in it. These rules are comforting and automatic now... I also like it when I mess up and have to problem solve. How am I gonna fix this? Usually that leads to something waaaay better.
Usually, things that are glaringly wrong will jump out at me at this point. The text was one. Her hairline was another- the fringe just didnt sit well. Too dark. So I cut up some more pages of The Rose and gave her a forehead. I think this opened her up heaps and works much better. I also used extra pages to create the new text style. Much better!
Next I just added a few little paper embellishments, so more shading and she is done.
So, I am imagining all sorts of projects involving book pages! And I am super chuffed with how this lady turned out. Not sure if I want to list her in my Etsy store, or keep her for our lounge room.
What do u think?
Available link for download
Monday, June 26, 2017
Book Talk Richmond
Book Talk Richmond
Part book store, part cafe, an abundance of fried meat...
Available link for download
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Book Page Paper Rose Wreath
Book Page Paper Rose Wreath
This was a last minute Christmas present for my parents. I am shocked that I actually finished it in time! It took much more time than I thought it would. I originally saw this on Pinterest, and just knew that it would go perfectly in my parents lovely home!
I couldnt find a cheap foam circle wreath form, so I went to the Goodwill. I found a REALLY ugly (I mean... seriously) floral wreath on a square foam form, and bought it for a buck. The cashier just looked at it and said, "um... beautiful wreath... great choice...". When I told her I was ripping all the flowers off and just using the form, she was extremely relieved!
When I got home, I removed the hideousness from the form, and then hot glued book pages all over the whole square, front and back, to hide the color.
I found some old, unwanted books at my librarys book sale for 50 cents apiece. I ended up using three books. I used two pages for each rose. I inked the edges of a few of the finished roses, just to add a little variation. The really strange thing was that I ended up using exactly all of the roses that I was able to make from the three books, and there wasnt a single empty spot on the wreath! Do you think that was just a coincidence, or did I subconsciously space all the roses to perfectly work with the number I had? Funny.
It took a LONG time to finish, many many hours, but it was definitely worth it!! I LOVE how it turned out! I think it would look beautiful hung with a wide ribbon and bow, or even with a black and white wedding photo inside, like a frame!
I used this tutorial for making the wreath:
DIY Faux Curled Rosewood Wreath
Here is another great little tutorial for paper roses:
HOW TO- make paper flowers
DIY Faux Curled Rosewood Wreath
Here is another great little tutorial for paper roses:
HOW TO- make paper flowers
One thing I would add is a little time-saver I figured out! Do everything in stages. Rip out all the pages first. Then cut all the circles out. Next, cut all the spirals.
Then, as you make each rose, stick a pin through the top of the rose down through the little circle piece that makes the bottom of the rose. Then do the same thing in a different spot. This will hold the rose in place so it doesnt unravel.
You can make all your roses this way (or in batches, if you run out of pins), and then take out the pins as you hot glue the bottom of each rose together. It saves a ton of time!
Then, as you make each rose, stick a pin through the top of the rose down through the little circle piece that makes the bottom of the rose. Then do the same thing in a different spot. This will hold the rose in place so it doesnt unravel.
You can make all your roses this way (or in batches, if you run out of pins), and then take out the pins as you hot glue the bottom of each rose together. It saves a ton of time!
This was an easy and affordable gift to make, with stunning results! I cant wait to make one for myself!!
Available link for download
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Book vs Device
Book vs Device
I recently reread three Stephen King Classics: Carrie, The Shining and Salems Lot. I spied this omnibus edition on my sisters bookshelf a few weeks ago, so I snuck it into my bag.
I love the dog eared, yellow paged history of this book. As it is obviously a rerelease of the three titles, it doesnt feature the original cover artwork, but you gotta love Jack, dont you? (If I was Jennifer Lawrence, I would consider being his new girlfriend too...) This book even smells funny. Maybe because it was in my sisters office, which was flooded in the Australia Day floods.. but I like to think it smells like awesomeness.
And I TOTALLY love that this book was obviously stolen from our high school about twenty five years ago JODI. I always thought you were the good sister.
I was surprised by the fact that it is a school library book, though- I dont know that Sai Kings works would be in high school libraries today, would they? I dont know.
I love the dog eared, yellow paged history of this book. As it is obviously a rerelease of the three titles, it doesnt feature the original cover artwork, but you gotta love Jack, dont you? (If I was Jennifer Lawrence, I would consider being his new girlfriend too...) This book even smells funny. Maybe because it was in my sisters office, which was flooded in the Australia Day floods.. but I like to think it smells like awesomeness.
And I TOTALLY love that this book was obviously stolen from our high school about twenty five years ago JODI. I always thought you were the good sister.
I was surprised by the fact that it is a school library book, though- I dont know that Sai Kings works would be in high school libraries today, would they? I dont know.
I used to always have a book in my bag. Always. Any down moment in life- read a book. Socially challenging situation? Read a book. Waiting for movie to start in cinema? Read a book.
And since I converted to a Kindle, and then when that died, reading books via the Kindle app on my phone, I am never without a book. I do however, dislike that when people see me reading on my phone they probably think I am texting, or reading Twitter, or something equally trivial. I want to say, "Im reading a BOOK, you guys. I am like, totally intellectual. You should see my tweets. Im heaps smart"
But, I wanted to revisit these SK gems, so I carted this mammoth brick of a book around with me for two weeks. That thing is heavy! I think I put my old lady back out! And have you tried reading a book that big in bed lately? Its hard. And annoying. And when you fall asleep mid sentence, this old stinky book DOES NOT automatically save where you were up to! What is this the 1800s?!?
SO, I love books, I love their history, their smell, their physicality. But man, I love that no matter how many pages a book is, it is always the same size as my lovely little phone. Sorry, hipsters, I fail the class. I like reading on my phone. Oh and I dont listen to records and I totally dont need those glasses I am wearing in my profile pics. I just like them.
What do you like? Book or Device?
Available link for download
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Book Recommendation Raising Your Spirited Child
Book Recommendation Raising Your Spirited Child
Im not really a book reader. I never have been. Even though my second major and other degree is in English Literature, you would probably never know it based on the fact that it takes me forever to finish a book and they are few and far between now days. Most recently, however, I have been reading one book, Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka.
Initially, I wanted to read this book because there have been many times when I have wondered if my daughter was a true "spirited" child. What is a spirited child? Well, according to the book it is a child whom is more intense, sensitive, preceptive, persistent and energetic.
In this short review and recommendation for the book, I will just say that I learned so much more than just the answer to my initial question. In the book the author writes about the importance of knowing our own temperament and our childrens own temperament. Are we introverts or extroverts? While reading through the beginning chapters, I learned I am an introvert, which I did know, but what I didnt realize was that as an introvert, I recharge and energize myself through alone time, personal time, and space. (This explains my need for a solo run or walk on a daily basis.) I also came to the conclusion that my husband is an extrovert and what he needs to recharge and energize is very different than me- people, talking, and a lot of feedback. I found knowing this information has really helped me appreciate and support the different needs of my family members. The author goes into a lot of detail about the two temperaments and things we can do as parents to help our introvert or extrovert child be successful.
For anyone working with children, this book would be a worthwhile read. The information and experiences the author writes about sheds new light on behaviors we as parents, teachers or caregivers often find confusing or frustrating.
Available link for download
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Book Clubs Time for Everyone to Get Started
Book Clubs Time for Everyone to Get Started
Book Clubs...something that becomes a favorite of many students in 3B. Well, we have two groups already rolling in book club discussions and now it is time for everyone to get started. Yahoo!!!
Book clubs focus on building and understanding of reading by tracking thoughts and strategies and then sharing these thoughts in relaxed discussions focusing to build a deeper understanding of what was read. Groups select their book of choice from various titles and will be making lots of decisions throughout the process: how much to read, when to meet next, etc. Most of the reading is done at home although this week we will be practicing sharing our thoughts and starting our book clubs in the classroom.
A great way to record thoughts while reading silently is to track your thinking using post-it notes. Many students find this helpful in remembering what they have read and it gives them more confidence to share their thoughts. The tracks that the students have been practicing using are as follows:
Students will be involved in book clubs throughout 6th grade, maybe higher. Stay tuned for pictures showing students engaged in deep discussions while enjoying their book club with classmates!
Available link for download
Book Review Geek Girl Model Misfit
Book Review Geek Girl Model Misfit
I love to read, and it’s something I’ve very much began to look forward to after a long day. I usually like to run a bath and totally relax, and starting a new book always makes this little ritual that bit more fun!
I recently got the chance to read and review Model Misfit, the second in Holly Smale’s series of Geek Girl Books. It’s a story about Harriet Manners, a some what ‘geeky’ girl with a good heart. Harriet know a lot of facts, which are quite frequently mentioned in the book, she’s also bullied and feels quite alone at times (we can all relate to that right?). But when she’s spotted by a modelling scout at the Clothes Show Live, Birmingham, the story really begins!
I don’t want to give too much away and ruin the story for you, But this would have definitely been one of those teen fiction books that I would have quickly grabbed of the shelf a fews years back. as it’s got that sort of Cinderella story feeling (with plenty of bumps along the way). I’m so glad I read this book as it’s made me realise, you’re never too old to read the sort of books you loved as a child or teenager, you can still come back to them years later and be totally absorbed in the story.
If you’d like to be in with a chance to WIN a copy of Model Misfit, then simply comment in the box below with your favourite book of all time, (don’t forget to include an email address), and the winner will be contacted on 8th October!
I’m off to read Geek Girl 1 now, (wrong way around I know!)
Lots of love
Kate x
Geek Girl will be available from Amazon from 26th September.
Like Geek Girl on Facebook!
Available link for download
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Book It Better Late than Never!
Book It Better Late than Never!
I am sure many people are familiar with Book It, the reading incentive program sponsored by Pizza Hut. Sadly our local Pizza Hut shut down recently so there was a lot of question on whether to participate in Book It or not. The school decided to have the students participate if they would like, knowing that the coupons for pizzas could be used nearby at the Pizza Hut in Decorah or even Rochester. So here is the information. Please read carefully.
October is the kick off month for the reading incentive program of "Book - It". Because the schools decision to participate was made after October 1st, we will be starting this reading incentive program November 1st. While I am not requiring all students to participate in "Book-It", sponsored by Pizza Hut, I am encouraging everyone to do it. Why not get a free pizza out of reading at home? Seems silly to pass it up. I will a calendar home today with each 3rd grade student asking them to record his/her reading each night working towards or past the goal written on the calendar. At the end of the month, please return the calendar, with a parents signature, and your child will be given his/her coupon for a free pizza. A new calendar will be sent home at the beginning of every month with the "goal" increasing each time.
In the past, those students who participated in the Book-It program every month and met their goal were treated to a pizza lunch with me, Mrs. Kerian, at the end of the reading incentive designated time (usually March or April). With the Healthy Kids Act in place in schools, we are not able to do that any more. Third grade teachers will meet soon to come up with something just as fun and yummy. So, stay tuned for information for those students who participate, meet their goal or pass it, and turn in their calendar every month. Last year the students who read every month returned their reading calendar celebrated by having "dinner and a movie" with Mrs. Kerian over lunch period, with some extra snacks provided by me as well.
So for now.....GET READING! :)
Available link for download
Monday, April 24, 2017
Board Book Publicity
Board Book Publicity
Are there publicists who specialize in childrens board books? If so can you list a few?There are publicists who specialize in childrens books, and that should be good enough. I cant imagine why anyone would specialize in so narrow a category as board books.
What... brought this question on?
Available link for download
Friday, March 10, 2017
Book It Wrapping It Up!
Book It Wrapping It Up!
March was the last month for the "Book It" Reading Incentive program. Calendars should be returned sometime this week for students who which to receive a coupon for a free pan pizza. I am excited to say that there are about 4-6 students who read and returned their calendars each month! I wish there were more, as reading at home is so important, but I will take the 4-6 and we will celebrate a great accomplishment sometime in the next few weeks.
Even though Book It is officially over, I encourage all students to continue reading at home! I can not express how important reading at home makes in a students overall reading skills and strategies. We have a lot of "end of the year" assessments coming up and so reading at home would continue to strengthen those skills/strategies to use towards these assessments!
Congrats to those who returned their calendar every month! I am proud of you!
Available link for download
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Book Nerds!
Book Nerds!
Reading is one of my favorite ways to spend my free time (albeit I do not have as much free time as I would like). Since I was quite young Ive been a book nerd. Some (my husband) might say that Im extreme in my reading pursuits, but I do not let the naysayers deter me. Rather, as a teacher Im given the opportunity to create more young book nerds!
That being said, there is a wonderful shop on Etsy that makes a book nerd charm necklace that I purchased for myself and my sister - a fellow book nerd. I wear my book nerd necklace everywhere, and refer to myself as a book nerd regularly with my students. Theyve amazed me, as always, and have begun referring to themselves as book nerds! In their writing theyll include something about how their book nerds. When they are done with an activity early theyll start reading because, as theyll later tell me, theyre book nerds. Their willingness to identify themselves as book nerds inspired a new area in my classroom.
Necklace in question:
Originally:
With some new additions:
The white board announces what or who we are currently reading.
This year Im experimenting with the whole book nerd theme, by next year I hope to have a plan in place to really inspire my students to become book nerds! I want my students to know that reading is awesome and its cool to be a reader. Maybe by embracing my book "nerdiness" I can inspire second graders to become true book nerds. Hopefully this early exposure to the term "nerd" will at least inspire a long term acceptance of nerds everywhere, and at best challenge them to become lifelong learners.
To book nerds everywhere,
Mrs. Castro
Available link for download
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Book Covers
Book Covers
Heres a few book covers I did that have been circling the web. These were done for Tor, and its always great to work with Irene. The books themselves are coming out next year. As always I have the art with and without titles.
This one was done for a short story for Tor.com that is a part of the same series as the one above.
I kinda like The Quantum Thief with the title more then the one I did, the title added some shadows and killed some of the brightness that I dont think I would be able to get away with normally. Also it was a nice change of pace being the rare sci-fi piece.
Heres a work in progress for The Unremembered cover.
Normal set of thumbnails. Everyone picked the last on the right. A quick tweak was needed to see if a castle or mountains in the background would work better.
People liked the mountains more, but I had to change the pose to a different and more peaceful version to better fit the scenario.
Other then the tweaks in the rough stages, the actual book went along kinda well. No big changes, though I do remember changing the light of the tree a bit.
Available link for download
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Book Clubs Going Strong! Need some Juice!
Book Clubs Going Strong! Need some Juice!
For the most part, book clubs are going great!!! Students are finding they love their book selection once they get into it!!!! Many are surprised how they dont want to stop reading and their minds are wondering what will happen next!!! Book clubs are a super way in building the passion for reading! Today, my book clubs were fabulous and everyone commented how much fun they were having reading and discussing (as well as having a snack or drink). They are using comprehension strategies and thinking hard about their reading. I love it!!!! We even had some tears to the ending of one of our books as it was a real tear jerker!!
We have had a few ups and downs with responsibility. Please remember that parents and students in 3B signed a contract agreeing to complete reading at home (or during read to self at school). Today was much better, but last week we had over half the class forget to read for their book clubs; therefore, they could not join the discussion or reading that day. Bummer!
For the most part, book clubs meet Mondays and Fridays. 3B students have a calendar that reminds them how much to read and by what date. Parents, please remind them to get their reading done and be ready for their next book clubs.
I have been supplying the juice for our book clubs since we started. I was wondering if their were any parents who would send some juice, your choice of kind, or juice boxes, so that students can continue to enjoy a drink and snack while sharing thoughts and reading with book clubs? That would save me from having to go get some every week. If you have some you can send, that would be super!!! We all thank you! Just send a jug or juice boxes to school with your 3B student and I will store them waiting until we need to start a new supply.
Thanks so much! Keep reading 3B!
I love this last picture! The expressions on the students faces show how much and hard they are thinking about what they are reading!!! Love it!!
Available link for download
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